Lush cosmetics tycoon gets plans approved to revamp his historic secret garden to the dismay of neighbours who fear more public events will clog up roads

• Simon Constantine applied to use Carey House to teach about biodiversity

Lush tycoon Simon Constantine has had plans for his secret garden approved despite neighbours fearing it will mean ‘more public events’. 

The soap boss applied in September to use his historic Carey House to teach about biodiversity and sustainable horticulture.

Plans lodged with Dorset Council showed he wanted a new timber storage space, a compostable toilet and to flog refreshments and plants at the beauty spot near Wareham in Dorset.

Planners have now given the idea the green light, despite concern from some neighbours. 

One said: ‘I am becoming increasingly concerned at the number of applications for changes to this site and plans for encouraging more and more public events.

Simon Constantine found the ‘lost’ walled garden behind a padlocked gate

A piece on the garden’s website reads: ‘Hidden among the rolling hills of a nature reserve in Dorset’s Isle of Purbeck is Careys Secret Garden’

He applied to build an eco-teaching tourist and educational destination – pictured is the local plan taken from planning documents

‘The road to this property is not an easy route with no lighting or markings and very fast speeding along the road where locals, elderly, dog walkers, and disabled walk along this road regularly daily taking their life in their hands.

‘When will this be thought out and addressed properly?

‘I for one have had near misses with speeding vehicles driving around blind bends in the middle of the road, it can only get worse.’

The application for planning consent came a year after Constantine, whose parents helped set up the cosmetics giant in the mid 1990s, discovered a real-life secret garden at his historic house.

The Dorset country home hid an overgrown paradise that had laid untouched for more than 40 years behind a locked gate – just like the Secret Garden in the story by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

The 3.5 acre plot originally provided the estate and local community with fresh fruit, flowers and vegetables when it was first created 140 years ago.

When the garden was cleared, abandoned outbuildings and empty beer bottles dating from the 1970s were found and Constantine said he planned to replant it using drone photos.

Later that year, plans for a barn to be sited in the garden were approved.

But further plans for the secret garden were submitted to Dorset Council last October.

Picture of a refreshment area – he plans to flog refreshments as well as plants. The plot originally provided the estate and local community with fresh fruit, flowers and vegetables when it was first created 140 years ago

The existing barn is pictured. A planning document said: ‘The re-use of the existing barn for educational purposes will help fulfill the garden’s sustainable operation’

The development was described as: ‘Erection of timber storage shed within walled garden, use of existing barn for educational purposes associated with biodiversity and sustainable horticulture, erection of compostable toilet, use of existing building for refreshments and plant sales.’

A further planning document explained: ‘The proposals will help retain and safeguard the garden in its original and intended use after years of disrepair which have been ended with the creation of the Carey’s Secret Garden.

‘The proposals will result in modest additions to the garden with the new gardener’s shed and compost toilet, whilst re-purposing of the two small ‘bothies’ in the wall will help fulfill the garden’s sustainable operation.

‘The re-use of the existing barn for educational purposes will help fulfill the garden’s sustainable operation.’

The Grade II listed building is set to retain its 19 car parking spaces and add a further five cycle spots.

External walls for the gardeners storage barn – which will be 30 square metres – will be horizontal timber cladding to match the existing walls.

But despite the ecological aims of the new project it is not likely to affect a protected or priority conservation species, any important habitats, other biodiversity features or features of geological conservation importance, the documents added.

The compostable toilet will be wheelchair accessible and the exterior will be in heat-treated pine.

Despite the ecological aims of the new project it is not likely to affect a protected or priority conservation species

The site employs two full time staff, two full time apprentices and a part time project manager.

It is currently open for pre-arranged visits by local groups, charities and nature conservation organisations.

The gardens were illuminated and opened up over Christmas too, with adults charged £7.50 entry.

Daily visitor numbers are capped at 50 and it is occasionally open on a Sunday.

Courses of up to 14 are also offered with a focus of connecting people with nature and to foster a care for the environment.

A piece on the garden’s website reads: ‘Hidden among the rolling hills of a nature reserve in Dorset’s Isle of Purbeck is Careys Secret Garden.

‘Left wild (and most definitely untamed) for far too long, Careys Secret Garden is gently coming back to life.

‘And we’re growing more than simply a beautiful garden. Join us for a Garden Visit.’

Planners approved the application – with some provisos.

They said it must have cycle facilities, only be open between 10am and 4pm and the owners must not let more than 50 people in at any time.

Lush was founded in 1995 by Simon’s dad Mark and his mother Mo, along with others.

It now has more than 950 stores globally.

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